Electric gas-lighter.



No. 638,754. Patented Dec. l2, I899. F. N. PIKE.

ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTER.

(Application filed Feb. 18, 1897.)

(N0 ModeL) UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

FREDERICK N. PIKE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO EDWARDN. DIOKERSON, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC GAS-LEGHTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,754, dated December12, 1899.

Application filed February 16,1897. Serial No. 628,704. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK N. PIKE, oi the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in ElectricGas-Lighters, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the drawings accompanying and forming part of the same.

My present invention relates to electric gas-igniters which are adaptedto be secured to a gas-jet.

More particularly my invention relates to that class of such deviceswhich are provided with terminal points connected, respectively, withthe positive and negative poles of an open-circuit battery, suchterminal points being so arranged as to engage with each other to closethe electric circuit and disengage to break the circuit and ignite thegas by sparking at a point close to the point of emergence of the gasfrom the burner.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficientigniting device which shall so operate that a moving terminal pointshall pass through the gas at a point close to the point of emergenceand only be in close proximity to the flame at the instant of ignition.

Heretofore electric gas igniting devices have generally been suppliedwith springactuated parts. This is objectionable because the heatgenerated by the ignited gas destroys the temper of the springs andmaterially affects the usefulness of the burner.

In the drawings 1 have shown a construction embodying my invention, inwhich- Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a burner-tip providedwith igniting devices made according to my invention, the parts beingshown in their first position. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, butshowing the movable electrode in its second position or in engagementwith the stationary electrode. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and2, but showing the electrode in its third position or after havingdisengaged the stationary electrode. Fig. 4. is a view similar to Figs.1, 2, and 3, but showing the electrode on its return movement to theposition shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an elevation view taken at rightangles to the views illustrated in Figs. 1 to a.

The dotted lines and arrows in the several positions indicate the pathof movement and the direction of the movable electrode.

Numerals of reference refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 represents a gas-burner carryinga collar 2, which collar supports the electrodes 3 and 4, electrode 3being mounted on a projection 5 and insulated therefrom.

6 represents a lever pivoted at 7 to the col-= lar 2. One end of thislever is provided with a pendant 8 for operating it, and the other endcarries the movable electrode at, pivoted near one of its ends andprovided with a catch 9 at its other end for engaging the stationaryelectrode 3. The end near its pivotpoint is provided with a stop 10,which impinges against the pivotal screw 7, it being held there by theweight of the other end of electrode.

The end of the lever 6 on which the elec= trode l is pivoted carries theweight 12, which, in cooperation with the gravity of the electrode 4-,returns said electrode to the first position after engagement with thestationary electrode.

It will be seen that the portion of the movable electrode between itspivotal point and the engaging catch must be of such weight and theweight must be so disposed as to in sure its falling back to its firstposition after engagement with the movable electrode.

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming the parts to be inthe position shown in Fig. 1, the operator draws down the pondant 8,which brings the movable electrode 4; into engagement with thestationary electrode 3, (which stationary electrode consists of a pieceof spring-wire,) drawing it over to a point close to the point ofemergence of the gas, as shown in Fig. 2. The pendant being drawn stillfarther down, the engagement of the electrodes is broken suddenly andthe gas ignited by the spark consequent upon the breaking of theelectric circuit, (it being understood that one terminal of the circuitis connected to the gasdixture and the other to the insulated stationaryelectrode,) the position of the parts after the breaking of the circuitbeing shown in Fig. 3, where the elcctrode a has reached the limit ofits forward movement and is resting against the stop 13. On releasingthe pendant the weight 12 causes the movable electrode to make itsreturn path, which return path is in a lower plane than its forwardpath, as shown in Figs. 1 and t, so that the electrode escapes passingthrough the flame.

That is claimed as new is- 1. In an electric gas-igniter, thecombination of a stationary electrode, a pivoted lever, a movableelectrode pivoted near one of its ends to said lever, and a weightcarried by said lever near the pivoted point of said electrode, so thatsaid electrode shall fall away from the flame after breaking engagementwith the stationary electrode, and then return to its first positionWithout passing through the flame, substantially as specified.

2. In an electric gas-igniter, the combination of a stationaryelectrode, a pivoted lever, a movable electrode pivoted near one of itsends to said lever, a weight carried by said lever near the pivotedpoint of said electrode so that said electrode shall fall away from the[lame after breaking engagement with the stationary electrode and thenreturn to its first position without passing through the flame, and astop for limiting the forward movement of said electrode, substantiallyas specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

l -REDERIOK N. PIKE.

Witnesses:

W. LAIRD GoLnsnonoUon, Ennns'r IIOPKIXSON.

